Purple State/Swing State

Written By Jonathan Milner

Definition

The terms “purple state,” “swing state,” and “battleground state” refer to states that have closely divided support for Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. In some years these states vote Democratic, in other they vote Republican and thus the outcomes in these states they are hard to predict. In recent elections they have been won by less than three percentage points. In recent years, purple states have included: Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin,. Presidential campaigns are waged mainly in these battleground states as the outcomes in most other states on the electoral map are mostly known well ahead of the election.

Example

 
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Questions

  1. What is a swing state?

  2. What is the difference between a swing state and a battleground state?

  3. Why do we use the color purple to denote a swing state?

  4. Do you live in a swing state?

  5. Why does the electoral college make swing states so important?

  6. Is the United States a “swing country”?

  7. Find an image or emoji that does a good job of illustrating swing state.

  8. The band Khruangbin started in Texas. Is that a swing state?

  9. Why aren’t all states swing states?

  10. Why don’t swing states matter as much in congressional elections as in presidential elections?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw swing state. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

GoPo Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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